CCL19/IL-1β Positive Feedback Loop Involved in the Progress of Inflammation in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Objective To explore the function and mechanism of CCL19 in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis. Methods Synovial fibroblasts were collected from 5 cases of rheumatoid arthritis. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were obtained from 5 healthy people by Ficoll-Hypaque density gradien centrifugation. The cells were stimulated with IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-17 and other cytokines, and then the expression of CCL19 was detected by RT-PCR. The cells also were treated with different concentration of CCL19, then the expressions of IL-1β, TNF-α were detected by RT-PCR, the expressions of p-ERK, p-p38 were detected by western blot. Results IL-1β promoted the CCL19/CCR7 expression in both synovial fibroblasts and PBMCs. CCL19 upregulated the expression of IL-1β in both synovial fibroblasts and PBMCs. The stimulation of CCL19 also increased its receptor CCR7 expression. CCL19 activated p-ERK and p-p38 in PBMCs. Conclusion The positive feedback loop between CCL19 and IL-1β participate in the development of rheumatoid arthritis.